Leaning In.

I am not sure when I fist heard God's reaction to our sin and need described as "leaning in." But I do know that it spoke to me then, and that it speaks to me still. I love it that God chose to lean into our lives rather than shrinking back from them or turning His back on them. I also know that I want to be like that. In the face of difficulty, I want to be the kind of guy who leans in to help rather than the kind of guy who shrinks back in fear or turns his back in disgust.

And when it comes to my personal life I want to be the kind of guy who leans in and does hard things so that good things result. So, this year...this New Year...I am thinking in terms of "leaning in" rather than in terms of resolution (I've never been much of a resolution guy anyway.) To me resolutions have always had a delusional-wishful-who-do-you-think-you're-kidding feel to them. While "leaning in," speaks of a settled posture that has a feeling of momentum to it. If you lean in far enough you end up with only two options: 1. Fall flat of your face, or 2. Move in the direction you're leaning, and no one wants to fall flat on their face.

This year I want to "lean in" more than I ever have before. Here are a few places that I am looking to lean in 2009:

• In towards God
• In towards my wife
• In towards my son
• In towards greater generosity
• In towards accountable ministry
• In towards forgiveness
• In towards improved health
  

My hope is that I will lean far enough in each of these directions to either fall on my face (I would rather fall on my face than do nothing) or to get moving. I have some specific thoughts about how I am going to lean in each of these directions.

1. I am going to plan. I have done a lot of thinking, planning, and a little journaling while not working on the blog.
   
2. I am going to publicize my intentions. That is why I have written these things down: for me to review, and for both of you who read this to hold me accountable if you want...but please be nice! (In fact I might blog about each of these individually sometime later...or I may not. I'm not going to place myself on the record as leaning that way yet.)
   
3. I am going to pray. After all, I'll never "lean in" the way I want to "lean in," without "leaning on" God the way I need to "lean on" God.

Let's all lean into the New Year.

Blessings,
PB